Computerized ultrasound echo tomography of the breast.

An experimental reflection ultrasound computer tomography (UCT) system is presented for in vitro examination of test objects and excised organs. The computer-assisted reconstruction of digitally stored conventional B-ultrasound scans to a compound scan yields considerably better images than the single scan. It could be demonstrated that the spatial resolution in the reflection UCT scan approximates the theoretical limit of the axial resolution of the beam (pulse duration). Echographic contrast is greatly increased and sonographic speckle reduced. The potential of this new imaging modality for sonographic breast diagnosis is demonstrated on various postoperative breast specimens. The possible complementary role of reflection UCT to both conventional pulse-echo techniques and transmission UCT is discussed.